Concrete Solar Light

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This instructable shows you how to make a stand for a solar floor light so you can use it as a stand-alone unit on a table. The stand is made from concrete and therefore perfectly suitable for outdoor use. Moreover the light is eco-friendly and use solar panels to collect sunlight and charge batteries that power the lights when dusk falls. The video on how to make the concrete solar light can be found under the following link (Link).

I was attracted by the shiny stainless-steel cover of this particular solar floor light so I had to buy one. Living in a rented flat, there was no opportunity to mount the light somewhere. But I thought that it would be nice to have such kind of "tea light" outside on my balcony. Maybe not to drink tea aside but I was thinking more of a nice glass of wine during sunset.

The following materials are needed to complete the project:

Solar light

Cardboard

Tape

Empty tape roll

Stanley knife

Salad bowl

Concrete mix

Water

Sunflower oil

Balance

Sand

Hot glue gun

Toothpick

Milk pack

Popsicle sticks

Razor

Sand paper

Concrete base coat

Paintbrush

Supplies:

Step 1: Making the Mold

The idea is to make a replica or model for the solar light out of cardboard. A first disk of cardboard is made in the same size of the stainless steel cover. Then three cardboard disks are cut for the part directly under the stainless steel cover. These four cardboard disks are completely covered with tape to make them waterproof. With the help of a toothpick that is placed in the center of the largest disk the three others are glued on top with the help of a glue gun. To finish the main part of our model an empty tape roll was used having a slightly bigger diameter than the main body of the solar light. It is always good to keep such items during the year. You never know when you need them. The empty tape roll then is glued on top of the cardboard disks.

Our replica or model for the solar light is now ready to be placed in the salad bowl. In order that the cardboard model withstands the weight from the concrete regular sand is placed on the bottom of the salad bowl. Now place the cardboard on top and you are ready for pouring the concrete.

Step 2: Pour the Concrete

Start rubbing the inner surface of the salad bowl with oil (sun flower oil) in order to achieve a very nice surface and that the concrete after drying can be easily removed. With the use of a balance I usually mix the correct amount of concrete with water according to the instructions of the supplier. The compounds are then mixed in a milk pack using a popsicle stick.

After careful mixing, the first part of concrete is poured into the mold. With the help of the popsicle stick the concrete is distributed evenly. Then the rest of the concrete is added. To remove air bubbles I usually hold a razor against the salad bowl. The vibration helps to remove the bubbles and assures a smooth surface.

Let the concrete dry for a day.

Step 3: Taking the Stand Out of the Mold

After the required drying time carefully remove the concrete out of the salad bowl. Then remove the tape roll and the cardboard. Let the concrete dry completely.

Step 4: Finishing

Use sand paper to make a smooth surface. Remove the dust an apply a layer of concrete base coat. Place the solar light into your stand.

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8 Discussions

What i nice idea! Solar lamps are often ugly, I think, especially the cheap ones, but you made it look like super-cool-expensive designer stuff. Now I feel inspired to try to do something myself: I have lamps and cement, so I´m heading for the basement....